New Hadassah Policy Statements Communicate Important Messages

By Aileen Greenberg-Kriner

Advocacy is fundamental to Hadassah’s mission of empowering women to affect change and putting our Jewish values into action. Hadassah provides an essential voice in the American Jewish community as we advocate for the health and well-being of women, fight against antisemitism and hate, and support Israel and Zionism in local communities, state capitals, Washington, D.C., and the United Nations.

Organizations need a consistent message that all members can refer to and discuss. Hadassah has defined specific policy statements since 1946 and has a formal process to determine the organization’s official policies.

Once a statement is approved, it is used to define Hadassah’s viewpoint and advocacy priorities. The new statement is shared with Hadassah members and elected officials, and, when needed, with the press and other media outlets.

Hadassah’s positions are nonpartisan. They do not change based on who holds political office in the U.S.

Hadassah also supports the democratically elected Israeli government. Hadassah focuses on advancing strong U.S.-Israel relations rather than speaking out about specific Israeli political leaders or policies unless they impact Americans.

At meetings in Florida in January, Hadassah adopted three new policy statements:

Fighting Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Sentiment at the United Nations

“In the wake of dangerous and biased Palestinian-led resolutions attempting to delegitimize and isolate Israel and strip the Jewish state of its right to self-defense, and in the face of an acute rise in global antisemitism, Hadassah will continue its efforts to combat antisemitism at the U.N. and elsewhere and will work with U.S. policymakers and leaders of foreign governments to take independent action to hold Hamas accountable for

its acts of terrorism.”

Affirming Support for Stabilizing Emergency Care

There has been a dangerous rise in laws restricting access to emergency care, placing pregnant women’s lives in danger since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022. “As a global humanitarian organization, Hadassah opposes any attempts— through administrative regulations, state and federal laws, public referendums, or court actions—to restrict the right to reproductive health care.” Hadassah’s new policy statement reinforces “the organization’s continued commitment to protecting access to the full continuum of reproductive care, including stabilizing emergency treatments like abortion, the health care professionals who provide such care, and the right to bodily autonomy.”

Support for Science and Evidence-Based Policymaking

“Hadassah recognizes that science must be the foundation of all health policies and that federal funding for basic science and efforts to translate research into practical applications is vital. As the owner of the Hadassah Medical Organization, a leading hospital system in Israel, Hadassah is committed to promoting the work of health experts, professionals, and resources that advance policies based on proven science and speaking out against efforts to undermine medical providers.”

The full policy statements, plus Hadassah policy statements on other issues, can be found on Hadassah’s website, www. hadassah.org. If you have questions about advocacy or any of Hadassah’s policy statements, feel free to contact Helene Schilian, VP of Advocacy and Education at HadassahCLT@gmail. com or (980) 553-1880.

From Seder to Seder

On Sunday, Feb. 23, Hadassah held its annual Tu B’Shevat seder. Nineteen women gathered to sing, eat, pray, and honor the land of Israel. They enjoyed dishes featuring the seven species of Israel—wheat, barley, olives, grapes, pomegranates, dates, and figs—and ended the celebration by saying a prayer for the hostages and singing Hatikvah.

We wish everyone in the Charlotte Jewish community a happy Passover. Chag sameach! April Events and Meetings - Wine & Schmooze – Tuesday, April 1, at 7:00 p.m. at Vintner Wine Market in the Arboretum. You’d be foolish to miss this fun evening of camaraderie and conversation! Pick up your Passover wine and mention Hadassah when you do.

- Coffee Klatsch – Tuesday, April 22, at 10:00 a.m. at Copain Bakery & Provisions in SouthPark. Meet other new and prospective members over a warm cup of coffee.

- Short Story Discussion Group – Will not meet in April. The next meeting is Friday, May 9, to discuss “Sound Effects” by Michele Ruby in “Frankly Feminist: Short Stories by Jewish Women.”

- Hadassah CLT Metro Board Meeting – Monday, April 21, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom.

- Hadassah BookTalk – Tuesday, April 22, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom to discuss “The Night We Lost Him” by Laura Dave. Save the date for our chapter’s Membership Tea on Sunday, June 8.

Interested in membership? Contact Laurie Sheinhaus at the phone number or email below, or attend one of our events. Our website, www.hadassahcltevents.org, has details and links for our events. If you have questions or need additional information, email HadassahCLT@gmail.com or call )980( 553-1880. Follow us on Facebook (Hadassah CLT Metro) and Instagram (Hadassah Charlotte Metro).